For Immediate Release: September 1, 2006
Media Contact: State Game Warden Travis Buttle 802-442-4383
Two Bennington Men Convicted in Deer Poaching Case

WATERBURY, VT - A father and son from Bennington have both pled guilty to charges related to a case involving two deer taken illegally in last December's muzzleloader deer season.

Theodore J. Dunn, 53, of Gore Road and Jason C. Dunn, 29, of Chapel Road were convicted after a lengthy investigation involving DNA testing of two deer shot in the vicinity of Skiparee Road in Bennington, ballistics linking a 45-70 lever-action rifle to the killing of both deer, and chemical analysis proving that a grain and mineral salt block used in taking the two deer contained a large amount of salt.

Vermont State Game Warden Travis Buttle led a team of wardens during the investigation, including Sgt. Paul Gaudreau, Greg Eckhardt, and George Scribner, as well as Deputy State Game Warden Wynn Metcalf.

Theodore Dunn pled guilty to two counts of using a rifle during muzzleloader season. He agreed to pay $400 in fines and $1,500 in restitution. In addition, he forfeited an ATV and rifle to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and will not be able to obtain Vermont hunting, fishing and trapping licenses for three years.

Jason Dunn pled guilty to hunting from a ground blind without his name and address identified and to using an ATV on private property without permission of the landowner. He paid fines amounting to $362 and received five points in a Fish & Wildlife license revocation point system.

"I want to commend the wardens who worked on this case for their excellent investigative skills and thorough utilization of the latest technology available to us in crime scene investigations," said Colonel Robert Rooks, Vermont's chief game warden. "I also want to point out that the majority of Vermont hunters are law-abiding sportsmen and women who overwhelmingly support and make possible the wildlife conservation programs we have in Vermont. The actions of a small number of poachers should not reflect on Vermont's truly dedicated, conservation-minded hunters."

Colonel Rooks pointed out that Vermont hunters are helping to protect the future of hunting by continuing to report poaching violations.